Replace backlight?

D

drbenjamin

n00b
Joined
Aug 2, 2007
Messages
45
Hey guys

I have a NEC 2080UX+ that I use as a second monitor. I bought it used, and over the past 2 years it's gotten pretty dim, less than 1/2 as bright as my newer TN monitor according to my monitor calibration. The colors seem fine and there's nothing else wrong with the unit. Is it feasible to replace the backlight in a 2080UX? Or sould I just pitch it and get a new one?

Thanks!
 
I have a NEC 2080UX+ that I use as a second monitor. I bought it used, and over the past 2 years it's gotten pretty dim, less than 1/2 as bright as my newer TN monitor according to my monitor calibration. The colors seem fine and there's nothing else wrong with the unit. Is it feasible to replace the backlight in a 2080UX? Or sould I just pitch it and get a new one?
Click to expand...

did it have a yellowish tint first before the dim ?
 
You can replace the backlight, but it requires opening your LCD, which is a fairly delicate procedure (kind of like peeling an onion) and no matter what you do, some dust will get in there.

The backlight is usually around $15 and you will need a soldering iron and/or some heat shrink tubing.
 
the_real_7 said:
did it have a yellowish tint first before the dim ?
Click to expand...

I can't say that it looks particularly yellowish, but I calibrate my monitors so they both look the same. The calibration profile suggests that blue is the weakest color.
 
thefreeaccount said:
You can replace the backlight, but it requires opening your LCD, which is a fairly delicate procedure (kind of like peeling an onion) and no matter what you do, some dust will get in there.

The backlight is usually around $15 and you will need a soldering iron and/or some heat shrink tubing.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that seems like a reasonable risk given that the alternative is tossing it out. Are the backlights standard? Or will I need to poen it up to see what I have?
 
I would say your going to have to open it and then try and find an identical replacement.
 
It looks like this one should work:
http://www.lcdparts.net/ccfldetail3D.aspx?ProductID=1585

If you open the case, look at the part # of the panel, and do a search for that, you should be able to tell for sure. If you have a GOOD multimeter (ie, not radio shack special), you may just want to open the case and test the power going to/comming from the power inverter before you open the panel anyway. If the inverter is obviously bad, no reason to go through all that extra work replacing the bulb; just throw it away.

I would avoid opening the panel until you're ready to replace the bulb if possible, because it's not so easy to remember how it goes back together.
 
Last edited:
thefreeaccount said:
It looks like this one should work:
http://www.lcdparts.net/ccfldetail3D.aspx?ProductID=1585

If you open the case, look at the part # of the panel, and do a search for that, you should be able to tell for sure. If you have a GOOD multimeter (ie, not radio shack special), you may just want to open the case and test the power going to/comming from the power inverter before you open the panel anyway. If the inverter is obviously bad, no reason to go through all that extra work replacing the bulb; just throw it away.

I would avoid opening the panel until you're ready to replace the bulb if possible, because it's not so easy to remember how it goes back together.
Click to expand...


Wow, thanks for the help! I have a decent multimeter, what sort of readings am I looking for? If the power inverter is bad I assume I need to replace that too. I would have thought the inverter would be more of an all-or-none failure; can they account for monitor dimness too?
 
id recommend to have it rebuilt from the company as ive seen people try replacing with just ummm not the best results . . . but its not undo able for sure
 
I have a decent multimeter, what sort of readings am I looking for?
Click to expand...
Based on the specs for that bulb, I'd say AC at ~50kHz 800V and 6.5mA. Unfortunately, I don't know of any way to check for that without spending big $$$ on equipment.

If the power inverter is bad I assume I need to replace that too.
Click to expand...
They aren't usually worth replacing - the cost is a significant fraction of a new monitor. However, if there's something obviously wrong with it or you have the electronics know-how to figure out why it's bad (I don't), you should be able to repair it.

I would have thought the inverter would be more of an all-or-none failure; can they account for monitor dimness too?
Click to expand...
Yes...if the current to the bulbs or the oscillation frequency is too low (can be caused by bad coil or transistor, I believe), the bulbs will dim.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top